Bishop Eddie Long..... A violation of trust

 

By now, we've all heard the stories of  Bishop Eddie Long.... four guys have filed suit claiming a wide range of complaints from sexual coercion to oral sodomy...

whoa...

Bishop Eddie Long is one of America's foremost black church leaders with New Birth Missionary Baptist Church ranking among the top mega-churches in the nation. More than 25,000 people are members at New Birth. His ministry is widely respected.

I learned of the scandal as I was browsing CNN.com... Breaking News... The plaintiff's attorney was holding a press conference and detailing the how's and wherefores of the case she just filed. I was shocked! My mind went to all the rumours and criticisms I had heard about Eddie Long.... I found a copy of the actual court documents and learned the specific nature of the complaints.

Rituals? Spiritual Sons? Singled out as special from the rest of the youth? wow.... Trips, gifts, sleeping in the same bed? what in tarnation???

I wonder how the members feel about these accusations.. what do they feel? so many people have come to redemption inside this church... The thousands who have put the drugs down, the crime, the transgressions of life... all through the work of this church and under the ministry of this man.... I think you'd agree that the work of the Lord has gone forth boldly through the people of the Lord at New Birth.... how hurt they must be.

I wonder how the auxiliary leaders, laypersons, deacons and deaconesses, ushers, missionaries, Sunday school.... how do they feel? Oh yes, publicly they stand for the Bishop as evidenced by the pandemonium that took place in church on Sunday (9/26)... yes, they praise and dance in support of the Bishop... But did Bishop really put their mind at ease? Or did he ignite the ceremony of church to the degree that folk could be anesthetized to the non-statement made from the pulpit??? Did he use the mega church theatrics to divert focus from those needing something to hold on to??

I know folk want to hear something to cling to as they move forth to defend their Bishop but what do you mean, I'm not perfect?.....  Sounds like you did something!

Now, this could be a fraud on many fronts....
first, the plaintiffs could be some flaky cats out for some loot. This could be a shakedown as Bishop Long's staff has claimed. But dag, he sent photos to them!! suspect...

Or, it seems that there are forces out there who are moving to discredit the power brokers of  Black America (we've seen accusations just this year of misdoings from black politicals, and now black clergy)  I'm just sayin'... c'mon y'all know it's possible!!! (COINTELPRO) OK, sorry, its just the conspiracy theorist in me...

Or Bishop Eddie Long has built a mega-ministry over the years but kept hidden his sexual preferences from the masses ... even as he publicly campaigns against such behavior....

By and sure, we will see the truth. The truth will be revealed as the plaintiffs back down from their story, or the Bishop admits his role in these charges, or the truth will be implied - after he pays off the plaintiffs.....

But at that time, who will heal the laypersons??? how do they rectify their service in their hearts and minds... and how does the man of God come to their aid. After all, a great trust has been violated....

Nigga, Please!! A Tragic Etymology

So, Dr. Laura sets off controversy as she rants about race while on the air. She's got a caller on the air and uses the "N-word" some eleven times. On the Air. dag....

And now she quits over the controversy, announcing that she will end her radio program at the end of the year... Here's the story ....

This conversation is not new.  Nigga.... Nigger. Generationally speaking, the interpretation of the word sparks either vile vibrations of a racist society, or a sense of endearment among the brethren in the 'hood.

The following is an extrapolation of a blog I posted back in 2006. I posted the blog in response to a news story I found online from WHAS=TV in Louisville. The station no longer carries the story on their site, but the general story was as follows:

Keysean Chavers was a freshman at Valley High School in Louisville, KY. He's a Boy Scout, a football player, a member of the ROTC, and an honor roll student. One day, he was hanging around his teacher’s classroom door. According to Paul Dawson, the teacher, Keysean used the word Nigga as he told him to sit down...

“I was just kind of stunned for a second and I said, 'Well then, get away from the door, niggaz.' I repeated the same insult because that was sort of what I was trained to do.” said Mr. Dawson, who's been a teacher in the Jefferson County School District for over 20 years... Yes, believe it... the teacher told the student to "get away from the door, NIGGA!!!"

Several of the students interviewed during the course of the school's investigation did not hear Keysean say the "n" word first and Dawson says students use the slang version of the word at Valley High School all the time. According to the WHAS report, Dawson says “nigger” is a racial slur but says students use “nigga” as often as they say "dude" or "hey, man.” Dawson says as much as he doesn't like the word, he still used the slang version to feel more comfortable with black students. “Why is this word used so frequently? So I just don't understand it and I’m trying to understand it,” Dawson says. “I need help.”

Dawson was suspended for 10 days without pay.

Young Keysean and his mom are outraged and feel the 10-day suspension is not harsh enough.. They want the teacher's job. Representatives of the black community are up in arms and the Urban League is calling for the teacher's job.. They are calling the use of the word by the teacher a racist incident...

So let's take a step back and examine this story. The issue is a by-product of the modern urban culture. The teacher is absolutely correct when he says that the kids use NIGGA as a term of endearment.. Listen to your teens.. They are going to greet each other "What's up my nigga?" or "That's my Nigga". Or as the teacher explains in the news report "Can you lend a nigga a pencil?" (that was hilarious to me).. Even white teens are calling each other nigga... Latinos, Asians... (I wonder in the teen sub-culture, does a young white teen who gravitates toward hiphop, call his black friends "my nigga"?) Young people will quickly explain to you that NIGGER is the offensive word and is cause to get your butt whupped if you utter it...

In hiphop music, nigga is one of the main lyrics in songs... One of my favorite hiphop joints is from the classic cd by Tribe Called Quest called Midnight Marauders.                                                                             

One of the tracks "Hey Sucka Nigga" attempts to explain the etymology of the word nigga and why the hiphop generation uses it as a term of endearment. I've had conversations with my college interns about the use of the word and they attempt to make me understand that if you say NIGGA or NIGGA, then you are using hip, urban slang and describing a friend or a cool person. However, if you say NIGGER and with a tinge of hatred and disdain in your inflection, then you are being racist.

This is the modern state of a word that has caused death and destruction for generations of our people. The use of the word is derogatory and our relatives and friends from the south can especially remember exactly how the word is used. I can distinctly remember being called nigger at my high school even as we were bused to school - a byproduct of Dr. King's Dream... I can remember being called filthy nigger by whites while I served in the United States Marine Corps... I can remember being called an "affirmative action nigger" by jealous white folk as I moved up the ladder inside a bank where I used to work

I cannot condone the use of the word personally, and I do not know if we can stop the use as described above by our young people. And because our image drives American urban culture, folk are confused with how or when or not,,, to use the word. Why are we offended when white people use the word, but ok when we use it against or with each other.
On the other hand... I agree with Chris Rock when he says "I LOVE Black People, but I HATE Niggas...."( or is it Niggers???)

Should Dr. Laura quit? I suppose. But instead of getting ready to march, let's take this time to examine our culture. Why is this word so pervasive in our culture? Why are the young people using it so frequently? Why are young people killing one another? Why are the scores in the schools so low? why are we going to jail so frequently? Why is the music so self debasing, misogynistic, and violent? How did we get so hung up on material things? How did pimpin' get so glorified?? What's up with the gang bangers? Crime, health.. These are the questions of import within our culture..

No, Dr. Laura should not have used the word, no matter her intent, no way, no how, in any interpolation.. But she is perplexed. She turns her TV on and sees the comedians, the rappers and some films using the word frequently and profusely. She is confused.......

Yes, the music promotes it... we, by our very actions deny our children the knowledge of the history of this word and other negative descriptors of ourselves...

Before we get so up in arms about this issue, let's start in our own community and remove the word from our cultural vernacular... Let's keep our community safe, clean and promote higher learning and spiritual growth at every turn... Once we do that, we will overcome....

USC's Shady Dealings: A fan's rant

Lots going on in the City. And as I am forced to watch the Lindsey Lohan foolishness play out on all media everywhere, my angst and attention goes toward the unfolding drama over at the University of Southern California... The effects of being banned from bowl games and other severe sanctions as a result of the school's violations of NCAA rules were a bit shocking and disappointing. Mike Garrett "retires" after 17 years as Athletic Director. All references, salutations and commendations to Reggie Bush and basketball player OJ Mayo on campus are wiped away. Including the return of  Reggie's 2005 Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trust.

USC President Mikia said in a statement, “The Trojan family honors and respects the USC sporting careers of those persons whose actions did not compromise their athletic program or the opportunities of future USC student-athletes. Accordingly, I have instructed the senior vice president for administration to remove athletic jerseys and murals displayed in recognition of O.J. Mayo and Reggie Bush by mid-August – before the incoming class of students moves on campus – from Heritage Hall, the Galen Center , and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The university will also return Mr. Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust in August.”

Dag. Persona Non Grata at the university you led to national championships. SMH....

And no, I am not an alum of USC, however I have always loved their football team - particularly because we do not have a professional football team in Los Angeles. The Trojans are the city's team. National Championships. Top contenders. Football fans in LA look forward to Saturday afternoons.

Reggie Bush was a hero around town, even as he was a college player. His number 5 was prominent around the City as urbanites rocked his jersey... He was the man around here... But even so, over the years, it didn't matter much who came out of the backfield, the USC Trojans always contended for the top and they are OUR team.... LA's team. The top QB's.... The top tailbacks, wide receivers, lineman... our team - LA's football team was the bomb....

It is painful to hear the news of improprieties in the athletic work of  USC. We didn't win it fair and square... I mean this is a slap in the face of the citizens here in the City of Champions(ok, Inglewood is the City of Champions I know, but that was then and this is now....)

I suppose we would be foolish to assume that college sports is this squeaky clean administration. Let's face it. Schools are making millions in ticket sales, concessions, and merchandising. The television and radio rights are HUGE revenue streams for the University. The fight to recruit and retain the best athletes in the land is ferocious and cut-throat. To be the best in your conference and yet best in the land means millions and millions of dollars. And as it is written, money is the root of all evil.

For the player, to be courted and recruited by major universities is an alluring opportunity especially if they come from humble roots. Just think of the neighborhood kid from the 'hood, playing football, mom and dad struggling to make ends meet. The kid has a gift and is heavily recruited. USC calls. Now the kid has a chance to attend one of the finest universities in the land, gain a top notch education and play before one of the largest audiences in the world. Suddenly, the kid and his loved ones are exposed to unmitigated adoration, boundless perks and unbridled excitement - all the sensory overload that comes with starring center stage... The temptations and opportunities to accept or participate in the finer things of life as offered by wealthy and influential people (aka alumni) is difficult to resist. If the need is for a car, who are we to refuse? A house? cool. Cash? now this we can keep on the low, but heck yeah!!!

Besides, they probably would not have time or interest to go back and consult a lawyer or counselor each and every time such an opportunity arises. After all, to accept these things as gifts, benefits or incentives to stay and play are highly illegal in the NCAA. There are rules and standards in place to preserve the integrity of the college student athlete. Rules and Standards that should help keep the focus on the student's academic success while supporting their athletic success. but alas..... the evil that men do.....

I cannot help but feel the pain of being stripped of  national championships. I am disappointed that the team has been from post season play including bowl games for two years. I wince from the notion that the school returned the Heisman Trophy presented to Reggie Bush. His number and any reference to him removed from the hall of champions. He is in the same category as OJ Simpson. Campus hero. College Football superstar, stripped of all recognition on the campus where he was the center of attention.  Persona Non Grata.

As for OJ Mayo, USC announced that it had determined Mayo was ineligible for the 2007-2008 season because he received improper benefits. As a result, USC vacated all 21 of its wins from the 2007-08 season, dropping its record to 0-12. A vacated game does not count as a win for the other team, but is officially treated as having never happened. USC also withdrew from postseason consideration (including the Pac-10 conference tournament) for the 2009-10 season. A winless season. Persona Non Grata.

The debate of whether Coach Pete Carrol knew of the coming sanctions is an interesting sidebar. It is kind of suspect that he took a pro football coaching gig just before this stuff hit the fan... The "retirement" of Mike Garrett saves face for both the school. It's time for him... after all 17 years is a long time and he's done his due.... time to move on.... take this cash and go play golf.

Whether money and benefits should be paid to student athletes is another vociferous debate.

OJ is now playing with the Memphis Grizzlies enjoying millions and building himself into a solid player in the NBA. He's not hurting from this one bit.

Reggie. Here he is kicking it with Kim Kardahsian. On the rise as the running back on the sentimental favorite team in America. Just coming off a championship season... On a team that was just awarded the ESPY for best team of any sport in America.... Reggie's got it all going on!!! He got his education. At one of America's finest schools. He's on the cover of magazines. He's in the spotlight.... a rising star.... He's not hurting from this.

What about the guys coming up behind him?? Those who reveled in his exploits, made life decisions based on what he did on the field and very probably what he said during the recruitment phase. The students who are now locked into a school that cannot compete. a school that cannot win even if they win. Imagine going undefeated only to be unable to play in the championship.  Shameful.

Reggie's business dealings are obviously messy. And so the gauntlet has to fall. But he will not feel the pain. the young ones who came up behind him.. the innocents will have to pay the price for his mess. OJ followed the counsel of greed and unscrupulous people.. and now the innocents have to pay.

Shady.

BET Awards 2010: The Paradigm of Redemption

The classic song of redemption reminds us that "We fall down, but we get up".... and so it is for the 2010 BET Awards...

This time last year, the fans were incensed. We were terribly shocked at the news of Michael Jackson's death. The world was reeling with grief, shock and awe as we grappled to understand the sudden passing of the King of Pop. The BET Awards, already set and ready to rock at the time of MJ's death; was now the center of media scrutiny as the world looked to the show as the supreme articulation of cultural perspective into the untimely demise.... Instead, we got coonery.... we were shocked and appalled... it was an embarassment.... BET had committed serious cultural crimes even as we sought to honor the memory of Michael while celebrating the best black music had to offer.

This year, the BET Awards was the catalyst for cultural redemption.  Oh yes, this year was a tremendous turnaround. With the addition of Queen Latifah as host, and the Lifetime Achievement Award performances from a visibly pregnant Alicia Keys climbing on top of her grand piano, Janelle Monae, and the legendary Patti LaBelle - all in honor of Prince, the Awards made a quantum leap in quality, presenting a dramatic, redemptive, first class perspective of black entertainment. The Awards took its rightful place as the premiere awards show saluting the best of the best in black entertainment. We fall down, but we get up.

A major element of this redemptive presentation was the tribute to Michael Jackson as the Awards found itself once again at the center of media scrutiny as the world paused to contemplate the one year anniversary of  Michael's untimely death. At the center of this keynote presentation was the controversial Chris Brown, who delivered an incredible dance tribute to MJ - the key influence in Chris Brown's "stylepath" to stardom. It would be one of the first tributes that included Chris, who has been sitting in the cultural corner enduring derision and fan disappointment. It was time for Chris to get his turn, And boy did he deliver.

His moves evoked memories of MJ. His moonwalk sent the crowd into an ecstatic uproar. But then it came time to sing "Man in the Mirror". The song's message of love and support to global crises rang true and deep, however it was soon apparent that the message took a personal turn for Chris. Overcome with tears, he was unable to finish the song.....

We witnessed a powerful moment in this young man's life as he gained the forgiveness and respect of his fans while paying proper and excellent tribute to the primary influence on his art... The essence of the song rang true and deep in his soul... It was one of those hallelujah moments.... you know that cleansing tearful exfoliation of the burdens in one's life.. He is free..... We fall down, but we get up.

 Some have speculated that the tears were contrived, but most have felt Chris in this moment, clearly understanding the significance of the performance. Redemption. 


We Fall Down But We Get Up.....The 2010 BET Awards. A Paradigm of Redemption.